Two Wolves, One Shadow

by Chris Smith

  ***

  You are treated differently when you have special things…the best things. As James was only too aware, people thought that wearing a great watch, the latest sneakers or designer clothes, made them somehow better than him. Inside, people change as well because these prestigious objects exert a magical power, freeing people from their previous personae and allowing them to behave differently. James remembered his first trip in his dad’s new car, a BMW. Driving down the road had been cool at first; the day was pleasant, his father happily distracted with his new toy and Pete far from his thoughts. Then a car pushed in front of them at the traffic lights and his dad went mental.

  ‘What the hell does he think he’s doing?’ He beeped his horn. The other driver ignored him. He held his hand hard on the horn. When the driver of the other car responded by putting up a finger, his father reacted completely out of character. James had never seen him like it before.

  ‘Wanker’

  His dad held his arm out the window, made a circle with his thumb and finger, and waggled his wrist rapidly.

  ‘Wanker.’

  The driver got out his car, walked up to their car and hit his dad. The strike wasn’t a thump, just a firm slap with the open hand.

  ‘Call me that again and I’ll break your legs.’